Growing guide · Shrubs

Spiraea japonica

How to grow Japanese Spirea 'Double Play® Candy Corn®'.

Red, orange and yellow, like the candy.

Light
Full sun, part sun
Water
Moderate
Zones
4–8
Size
18–30 in. tall and wide
Spacing
2–2.5 ft apart.
Pets
Not on the ASPCA pet-safe list; keep it out of reach
Small mounded shrub with bright red new leaves, yellow mature leaves and purple flower clusters

Light

Full sun for the brightest color; some afternoon shade in hot areas keeps it from scorching.

Water

Water regularly the first season; tolerates dry spells after.

Planting and soil

Plant spring or fall at pot depth.

Feeding

Light shrub fertilizer in spring.

Pruning

Blooms on new wood. Trim in late winter; shear after flowering for fresh red growth.

Through the year

Red new growth in spring. Flowers in June. Yellow foliage through summer.

If something's off

Yellow leaves can scorch in hot afternoon sun. Japanese spirea is listed as invasive in some eastern states.

Plays well with

Plant it with friends.

Ninebark Diabolo®
Physocarpus opulifolius 'Monlo'Ninebark Diabolo® from $75.99
Japanese Spirea 'Magic Carpet'
Spiraea × bumalda (S. japonica)Japanese Spirea 'Magic Carpet' from $62.99
Salvia 'Marcus'
Salvia nemorosaSalvia 'Marcus' from $30.99

Why we stock it: Season-long color from foliage alone, in a small, tough shrub.

That's everything we know about growing it. Thanks for reading.

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